Panasonic ZS45 vs Pentax K-1

Below, we will be matching up the Panasonic ZS45 vs Pentax K-1, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a crucial gap between the image resolutions of the ZS45 (16MP) and K-1 (36MP) and the ZS45 (1/2.3") and K-1 (Full frame) enjoy different sensor sizes.

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The ZS45 was manufactured 13 months earlier than the K-1 which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. The two cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic ZS45 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-1 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief overview of how the ZS45 matches up vs the K-1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45 and Pentax K-1. The entire galleries are provided at Panasonic ZS45 Gallery and Pentax K-1 Gallery.

If you are going to lug around your camera often, you'll need to consider its weight and proportions. The Panasonic ZS45 provides exterior measurements of 108mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 249 grams (0.55 lbs) and the Pentax K-1 has measurements of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") and a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic ZS45 vs Pentax K-1 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Following is the front view dimension comparison of the ZS45 against the K-1.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the ZS45 and K-1 is 91 and 55 respectively.

Quite often, its hard to visualize the difference between sensor measurements simply by looking at specs. The visual here will offer you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the ZS45 and K-1.

All in all, both cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The ZS45 due to its tinier sensor is going to make achieving bokeh more difficult and the Pentax K-1 will resolve extra detail due to its extra 20MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The older ZS45 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.